Scuffle at bar preceded shooting in Everett

EVERETT — A shooting early Saturday began with a punch in the face and escalated into gunfire, according to Everett police.

The shooting erupted about 2:40 a.m. at the intersection of Hewitt Avenue and Nassau Street.

One man, 23, was shot in the back, and another, 50, had a bullet pass through his shirt.

The man who was shot told police he’d been in a fight earlier with a man, 27. Police believe the trouble began at a local bar and the 27-year-old went to his car, retrieved a gun, and started shooting when he saw the men on the street.

The gunman allegedly yelled “(Expletive) mother Russia!” as bullets flew, according to a police report.

It wasn’t clear from police reports whether anyone involved has any connection to Russia.

The suspected gunman was arrested later in the 1700 block of Puget Drive. He was being held Monday for investigation of two counts of first-degree assault and one count of malicious harassment.